Dolphin calves galore on HWDT 7…
The team on the seventh research expedition of the season encountered minke whales and lots of dolphins with calves in their twelve day survey from Ullapool. Read all about their experiences here…
DAY 1
The crew met the group on the pier at Ullapool where the Silurian was moored on the new pontoon. After introductions, we were given a tour of the boat and assigned cabins before delicious mushroom pasta for dinner. Then it was onto marine mammal species identification training before bed.
DAY 2
More training followed the first breakfast of the day, this time visual and acoustic survey protocols. After second breakfast, it was time for emergency procedures and then we were good to go. We headed out of Loch Broom with the weather set fair for the afternoon, trying to get to grips with the various survey roles as we sailed through the Summer Isles, enjoying superb views of the mountains from Suilven down to Torridon, while common dolphins and harbour porpoise kicked-off the cetacean list for the trip. Other sightings included puffins and a storm petrel. We ended the day moored in Loch Ewe.
DAY 3
We woke after a night with strong winds and a little rain. A few of the 13 black throated divers and 2 red throated divers from yesterday evening were still around to welcome us to the day. Winds were forecast quite strong from SW so we were set for transects back and forth across the Minch with the wind behind us. Once we left the shelter of the islands, it was clear we were in for a bouncy ride, and unfortunately a couple of our group succumbed. Even so, despite a good wind and fair swell we did manage to spot a number of small pods of common dolphin. Whilst they didn't join us to bow ride, we did get some good close views. Other excitement came from a good numbers of fulmars, bonxies, storm petrels and the comedians of the ocean, puffins.
The survey day ended mooring up in a very welcome sheltered mooring, welcomed by a few great northern divers and freshly cooked chocolate cake.
DAY 4
After an evening of playing Pass the Pigs, with heads on tables and feet in the air, we had a quiet night's sleep waking up to calm water and blue sky. Fueled with porridge with raspberries we set sail out into The Minch. Another day of rough water made for difficult spotting conditions but luckily breakfast stayed in most people's stomachs today.
Common dolphins and a couple of Risso's dolphins were spotted. WOOP WOOP! Along with lots of fulmars and guillemots, a white-tailed eagle was spotted as we came into anchor at Loch An-Eisg-brachaidh. Being within a short trip of a famous pie shop, we all had the "eyes for the pies". However, we did not manage our expectations as the shop was closed. So even if we see a humpback whale tomorrow, our hearts will still be heavy over the lack of pie.
DAY 5
Another day of choppy water in The Minch, crossing towards Lewis and then back again to the mainland. The weather started a bit misty but a second breakfast of bacon rolls brightened the day and then the sun came out in the afternoon. We all enjoyed being on deck and several volunteers had a go at helming without incident! There were plenty of birds as we were coming in but cetaceans remained elusive, with just a single brief common dolphin today, though both seal species were seen. The survey day ended with intensive creel spotting before we moored in a beautiful bay just below Drumbeg. Some of us wandered up to the viewpoint, though disappointingly the pub was shut, so no pints after yesterday's no pies! The artists among us made the most of the fine views.
DAY 6
Last night's game of Dobble didn't leave everyone too exhausted for the normal start to the day. The crew chose a loch and coastal route for the day, so that we could have a rest from the wind and waves of the Minch. There was no rest from creel-spotting though; the calls came thick and fast, and we tested our distance estimation skills.
Then with the calm of the loch, the first volunteer off watch got the chance to climb up to the crowsnest. What a view! But sadly, no whales or dolphins, although we enjoyed seeing a few seals bottling as we passed by.
After the two lochs around Kylesku, Skipper Brian steered us back out to coastal waters, and we turned north. The skies and waters were alive with birds as we sailed by the cliffs of Handa Island, and our day ended in a calm mooring surrounded by pink hued rock outcrops, Lewisian gneiss apparently.
DAY 7
What a day! Heading across the Minch with very favourable conditions forecast had the makings of an exciting day of sightings... which it was. Starting the day with a couple harbour porpoise sightings this lead us to our first minke whale sighting, seeing at least 2. With the waters getting even flatter as the day went on another minke was spotted with 6 being counted in total. Shortly after some white beaked dolphins appeared and after a while we were surrounded by them, with numbers of 100 plus being estimated, including some tiny calves. Amongst all the white beaks, some common dolphins joined the party and with a small engine failure we had lots of time to admire them. Maybe Silurian wanted us to enjoy this amazing experience a wee bit longer. Haggis for dinner topped off an amazing day.
DAY 8
It very much was a day of two halves. We left the anchorage calling creels and headed out to the Minch. It wasn't long before the sun was shining and our first whales of the day appeared!
We had a wonderful encounter counting up to four whales spread out over several miles, and seeing a few of them lunge feeding.
Once we'd gotten photo ID shots we left them to their feeding and changed course to the shiants. On the way we were treated to several close encounters of artic skuas chasing kittiwakes to force them to vomit up their food so the skuas could eat it. On one chase, we even saw the skua catch the food midair!
A delicious lunch in a mug was served just in time to be done as we entered the Shiants. A slow circle of the bay treated us to spectacular views of thousands of puffins, razorbills and guillemots. Truly an incredible place.
On exiting the small group of islands the weather turned. Those in t shirts quickly donned their waterproofs and hoods were pulled up against the rain that started to come down. The rain couldn't dampen our spirits though and the chocolate biscuits certainly helped!
As we approached Scalpay the fog prevented us from seeing the lighthouse but passing under the bridge was a wonderful experience. We were still working hard, calling creels and even plenty of harbour porposie to be spotted!
The rain stopped just after the anchor was dropped and dinner was soon bubbling away on the stove. Another excellent day onboard Silurian.
DAY 9
A day spent stormbound on East Loch Tarbert meant we made the most of the onboard entertainment. Activities included prerecorded talks from SMASS and another from our very own Skipper, Brian Morrison, on his time sailing with whales. After a sit-down lunch (which is normally eaten while on effort) most of us participated in a weaving class led by one of the volunteers, Irene, from Nearly Wild Weaving. The afternoon soon disappeared weaving while the storm passed. That evening we moved Silurian onto a pontoon berth in the safety of Tarbert harbour ready for the other side of the storm to pass over. On arrival we had late dinner before using the excellent port shower facilities and then bed, though some went to the pub first. No cetacean sightings today due to the stormy weather.
DAY 10
A change from the norm - we started the day with an opportunity to go shopping! We are on holiday, after all. The opportunities were wide-ranging, from Harris tweed yarns to local whisky, pottery to gin. But being under strict orders to be back on board for 10.30, fortunately we had to leave before we spent too much. Thank goodness!
A lively trip back across the Minch with a big following swell. We were grateful when the occasional bursts of rain stopped.
It was well worth it though, fun sailing and great views of common dolphin and harbour porpoise as well as the usual mix of sea birds. I think we were all happy to make the calm bay at the end of the journey though.
Then it was the usual chores for the volunteers while the crew investigated and played bilge antics.
DAY 11
A very windy last day on Silurian, meant for another bouncy trip, however this did not stop a group of porpoises and common dolphins showing their heads one last time. And of course the field of creels coming into Ullapool where we had dinner at Ceilidh Place. An unforgettable experience, thank you to the amazing Silurian and her crew :)
Across the week, the group surveyed nautical 652 km of Hebridean seas, recording seven species of marine mammals.
A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR TEAM OF CITIZEN SCIENTISTS WHO JOINED THIS EXPEDITION: ALEX, GEORGE, TRACEY, HUGH, IRENE AND STEVE.